Telephony terminal

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus implementing a telephony terminal for connecting a telephone to a data network. In one implementation, a telephony system includes: a phone connection for connecting to a telephone; a network connection for connecting to a network; and a controller connected to said phone connection and to said network connection; wherein said controller provides a phone service for processing information for said phone connection, said controller provides a network service for processing information for said network connection, and said controller provides a network voice service for converting information to and from a network voice format.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/675,325, filed Sep. 29, 2003 which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/414,242, filed Sep. 27, 2002, and of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/454,464, filed Mar. 13, 2003, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

A typical analog telephone system sends and receives voice informationto and from the PSTN (public switched telephone network) using a POTS(plain old telephone service) connection. An alternative approach forsending voice information has been developed using IP networks,sometimes referred to as VoIP (voice over IP). One common way to useVoIP is to provide voice information to a computer system (e.g., using amicrophone) connected to the Internet. In one approach, the computersystem converts the analog voice information to a digital data and sendsthe digital data as IP packets across the Internet to a recipient.

Some wireless handsets (e.g., some cell phones) provide both voice anddata services through their corresponding wireless networks. Thewireless handset establishes a wireless connection to the wirelessnetwork for transferring information and data. The wireless network istypically in turn connected to the PSTN and to the Internet. In thisway, a user conducts voice calls through the wireless network and alsocan access data services such as e-mail or web browsing through the samewireless network.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides methods and apparatus implementing atelephony terminal for connecting a telephone to a data network. In oneimplementation, a telephony system includes: a phone connection forconnecting to a telephone; a network connection for connecting to anetwork; and a controller connected to said phone connection and to saidnetwork connection; wherein said controller provides a phone service forprocessing information for said phone connection, said controllerprovides a network service for processing information for said networkconnection, and said controller provides a network voice service forconverting information to and from a network voice format.

In another implementation, a method of sending data to a networkincludes: receiving information through a phone connection at aterminal, wherein said information indicates a service; preparingintermediate information based on said information according to saidindicated service; preparing network data based on said intermediateinformation according to a network protocol for a network connected tosaid terminal; and sending said network data to said network.

In another implementation, a method of processing data from a networkincludes: receiving information through a network connection at aterminal, wherein said network connection is connected to a network andsaid information indicates a service, preparing intermediate informationbased on said information according to said indicated service; preparingphone information based on said intermediate information according to aprotocol for a telephone connected to said terminal; and sending saidphone information to said telephone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a representation of one implementation of a telephonyterminal connected to a telephone and a modem.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of one implementation of a telephonyterminal.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of one implementation of a telephonyterminal including a control connection for advanced services.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of one implementation of sending information froma telephone to a modem through a telephony terminal.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of one implementation of sending data from amodem to a telephone through a telephony terminal.

FIG. 6 shows a representation of one implementation of a telephonyterminal connected to a telephone and a base station.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of one implementation of a terminalincluding a radio interface and an antenna.

FIG. 8 shows a block paragraph of one implementation of the terminalincluding a radio interface and antenna and supporting advancedservices.

FIG. 9 shows a flow chart of one implementation of sending data from aphone to a data network through a telephony terminal and a wirelessconnection.

FIG. 10 shows a flow chart of one implementation of sending data from abase station to a telephone through a telephony terminal and a wirelessconnection.

FIG. 11 shows a representation of one implementation of a telephonyterminal connected to a telephone, a computer system, and a modem.

FIG. 12 shows a representation of one implementation of a telephonyterminal connected to a telephone, a computer system, and a basestation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides methods and apparatus implementing atelephony terminal for connecting a telephone to a data network In oneimplementation, the terminal is connected to a typical analog telephoneand is connected to a broadband modem. The broadband modem is in turnconnected to a data network, such as the Internet. The terminal providesan interface between the telephone and the broadband modem so that thetelephone can send and receive voice information through the datanetwork and can access data services through the data network. Inanother implementation, the terminal is connected to the data networkthrough a wireless connection.

Two illustrative examples of implementations are described below.Additional variations are described after these examples.

In one example of one implementation, a terminal is connected to atelephone, a laptop computer, and a wireless network. The telephone is atypical analog DTMF (dial tone multiple frequency) phone. The terminalis connected to the telephone through a USB port of the terminal, aUSB/RJ-11 converter box, and an RJ-11 connection of the telephone. TheUSB/RJ-11 converter box supports PC to PC, PC to phone, and phone to PCdialing capabilities. The terminal is connected to the laptop computerthrough a second USB port of the terminal and a USB port of the laptopcomputer. The terminal includes a wireless modem, radio interface, andantenna for communicating with the wireless network, such as through aCDMA 1×EV-DV air interface.

When a user places a call through the telephone, the telephone passesvoice information to the terminal through the USB/RJ-11 converter box.The terminal processes the voice information to generate a signalcarrying the voice information. The signal is compatible with thewireless network and the terminal sends the signal to the wirelessnetwork through the wireless connection. The wireless network passes theinformation to the PSTN. The PSTN routes the voice signal to therecipient. In this way, the user places a call through the wirelessnetwork using a typical analog telephone and an RJ-11 connection. Theterminal provides the processing to complete a full duplex call.

When the user sends data through the laptop computer, the laptopcomputer passes the data to the terminal through the USB connection. Theterminal processes the data to generate appropriate IP data. Theterminal generates a signal compatible with the wireless network andsends the data to the wireless network. The wireless network passes thedata to the Internet The Internet routes the data to the recipient. Inthis way, the user sends data through the wireless network using alaptop and a USB connection.

In this example, a wireless carrier can provide the terminal toconsumers. The consumer can connect a typical phone and laptop or othercomputer to the terminal. Through the functionality of the terminal, theconsumer can access high-speed data connection services and also accessvoice communications services through the wireless network.

In another example of one implementation, a terminal is connected to acordless telephone base unit and a broadband modem. The terminal isconnected to the cordless telephone base unit through an RJ-11connection of the terminal and an RJ-11 connection of the base unit. Theterminal is connected to the broadband modem through an RJ-45 connectionof the terminal and an RJ-45 connection of the modem.

When a user places a call through the telephone, the cordless handsetpasses voice information to the base unit and the base unit passes thevoice information to the terminal through the RJ-11 connection. Theterminal processes the voice information using a VoIP application togenerate IP data carrying the voice information. The terminal sends thedata to the broadband modem. The modem passes the data to the Internet.The Internet routes the data to a VoIP gateway. The gateway converts thedata to a voice signal and passes the voice signal to the PSTN. The PSTNroutes the voice signal to the recipient. In this way, the user places acall through the Internet using a typical cordless phone and an RJ-11connection.

FIG. 1 shows a representation of one implementation of a telephonyterminal 105 connected to a telephone 110 and a modem 115. The terminal105 is connected to the telephone 110 through an RJ-11 connection. Inanother implementation, the terminal is connected to the telephonethrough a different type of connection. For example, in oneimplementation, the terminal is connected to the telephone through a USBconnection of the terminal, a USB/RJ-11 converter, and an RJ-11connection of the telephone. In another implementation, the terminal isalso connected to the telephone through an additional control line.

The telephone 110 is a typical analog telephone. In anotherimplementation, the telephone is a typical cordless telephone or adigital phone. In another implementation, the telephone is a wirelesshandset with a wireless connection to a base unit connected to theterminal. In another implementation, the telephone is integrated withinthe terminal (e.g., the base unit of a cordless telephone is integratedwithin the terminal and communicates with a cordless handset). In analternative implementation, instead of or in addition to the telephone,the terminal is connected to a computer system.

The terminal 105 is connected to the modem 115 through an RJ-45connection. In another implementation, the terminal is connected to themodem through a different type of connection, such as a USB connection.In another implementation, the terminal provides a wireless connectionto either or both of the telephone and the modem, such as through awireless LAN (or Wi-Fi) connection.

The modem 115 is a typical broadband modem, such as a DSL or cablemodem. The modem 115 is connected to a data network (directly or throughappropriate intervening networks), such as the Internet or a privatedata network (e.g., a corporate intranet). In another implementation,the modem is an analog modem connected to the PSTN. In anotherimplementation, the modem is integrated within the terminal and theterminal is connected directly to the data network.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of one implementation of a telephonyterminal 200, such as the terminal 105 shown in FIG. 1. The terminal 200includes a controller 205 and connected memory 210. The terminal 200includes an RJ-11 connection 215 connected to the controller 205 and anRJ-45 connection 220 connected to the controller 205. In anotherimplementation, either or both of the RJ-11 connection and the RJ-45connection are replaced with different types of connections, such as aUSB connection, IEEE 802.3 Ethernet, IEEE 1394, or a personal wirelessconnection (e.g., Bluetooth) among others. The terminal 200 alsoincludes a user interface 225 connected to the controller 205 (e.g.,including a keypad and a display). The terminal 200 includes a powersource 230 (the connections between the power source 230 and the othercomponents of the terminal 200 are omitted for clarity).

The controller 205 controls the operation of the terminal 200 andprovides applications supporting the functionality and services of theterminal 200. In FIG. 2, three services provided by the controller 205are represented by rounded boxes shown within the controller 205,including: a VoIP service 235, a PSTN service 240, and a broadbandservice 245. The VoIP service 235 supports VoIP, such as by converting avoice signal to voice data stored in one or more IP packets (includingappropriate routing information) and converting one or more IP packetsstoring voice data to a voice signal. The PSTN service 240 provides aPSTN driver for processing information received from and to be sent to atelephone (e.g., the telephone 110 in FIG. 1) connected to the RJ-11connection 215. The broadband service 245 provides a broadband driverfor processing data received from and to be sent to a broadband modem(e.g., the modem 115 in FIG. 1) connected to the RJ-45 connection 220.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of one implementation of a telephonyterminal 300 including a control connection for advanced services.Similar to the terminal 200 shown in FIG. 2, the terminal 300 includes acontroller 305 and connected memory 310, an RJ-11 connection 315, anRJ-45 connection 320, a user interface 325, and a power source 330. Theterminal 300 also includes a control connection 335 for sending andreceiving control signals to a telephone connected to the RJ-11connection 315 and the control connection 335. The terminal 300 uses thecontrol signals for providing advanced services through the controller305.

Similar to the controller 205 shown in FIG. 2, the controller 305controls the operation of the terminal 300 and provides applicationssupporting the functionality and services of the terminal 300. In FIG.3, five services provided by the controller 305 are represented byrounded boxes shown within the controller 305, including: a VoIP service340, a browser service 345, an e-mail service 350, a PSTN service 355,and a broadband service 360. The basic services of the VoIP service 340,PSTN service 355, and broadband service 360 are similar to thecorresponding services of the controller 205, as described above.

The controller 305 provides advanced services supported by the connectedtelephone. The controller 305 uses control signals received and sentthrough the control connection 335. Advanced services supported by somephones (e.g., some advanced cellular/PCS phones) sometimes employ higherlayer protocol stacks that are different from standard data networkprotocols, such as the Internet protocols often utilized for broadbandservices. For example, some data services supported by some phonesoperate differently on the phone in comparison to a similar data serviceoperating on a standard desktop computer system. Accordingly, thecontroller 305 provides advanced services to provide run-timetranslations between different but functionally similar protocol stacksor to act as gateway nodes for different services. In FIG. 3, theadvanced services include the browser service 345 and the e-mail service350. The browser service 345 provides a browser translator to support aninterface between the protocol of the browser software of a connectedtelephone and the browser protocol of the data network. The e-mailservice 350 provides an e-mail gateway to support an interface betweenthe e-mail service of the connected telephone and the e-mail service ofthe data network. In other implementations, additional or differentservices are supported (where the terminal includes appropriateadditional hardware to support the additional services), such as G3 faxconversions, voicemail boxes and TAD aggregation, cellular/PCS terminalprovisioning, PIM information management, handset data backup, orprecision differential GPS positioning.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart 400 of one implementation of sending informationfrom a telephone to a modem through a telephony terminal. Initially, aterminal is connected to a telephone (e.g., through an RJ-11 connection)and to a modem (e.g., through an RJ-45 connection), such as in theconfiguration shown in FIG. 1. The telephone sends information to theterminal, block 405. The information indicates a service to be providedby the terminal and the information reflects the requested service. Forexample, for a voice service, such as VoIP, the telephone sends voiceinformation to the terminal including header information indicating therequested voice service. For a data service, such as a request to accessa website through a browser, the telephone sends data to the terminalincluding header information indicating the requested data service. Inan implementation supporting advanced services, the telephone sendsadditional control information to the terminal through a controlconnection. In another implementation, the terminal is connected to thephone through a USB/RJ-11 converter. In this case, the USB/RJ-11converter converts the information sent from the RJ-11 connection of thetelephone to data according to the USB protocol and sends the data tothe USB connection of the terminal.

The terminal prepares the information from the telephone according tothe requested service, block 410. The terminal uses an appropriateservice to prepare the information (e.g., using one of the servicesshown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3). For example, for VoIP service, the terminalconverts the voice information to digital data and stores the digitalvoice data in IP packets with appropriate routing data. The terminalprepares the resulting information for transmission to the modem, block415. In one implementation, the modem is a broadband modern and theterminal uses a broadband service to prepare the information for thebroadband modem.

The terminal sends the information to the connected modem, block 420.The modem processes the received information and sends the informationto a connected data network, such as the Internet.

In another implementation, a computer system is connected to theterminal instead of or in addition to a telephone. The computer systemsends data to the modem in a similar way to that described abovereferring to FIG. 4. If the data provided by the computer system to theterminal is already in an appropriate format for the requested service,the terminal does not adjust the received data (skipping block 410).

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart 500 of one implementation of sending data froma modem to a telephone through a telephony terminal. Initially, theterminal is connected to a telephone (e.g., through an RJ-11 connection)and to a modem (e.g., through an RJ-45 connection), such as in theconfiguration shown in FIG. 1. The modem sends information to theterminal, block 505. The information indicates a service to be providedby the terminal and the information reflects the requested service. Forexample, for a voice service, such as VoIP, the modem sends voiceinformation to the terminal including header information indicating therequested voice service (e.g., as IP packets). For a data service, suchas returning data from a website for a browser, the modem sends data tothe terminal including header information indicating the requested dataservice.

The terminal prepares the information from the modem according to therequested service, block 510. The terminal uses an appropriate serviceto prepare the information (e.g., using one of the services shown inFIG. 2 or FIG. 3). For example, for VoIP service, the terminal convertsvoice data in packets to voice information for the telephone. Theterminal prepares the resulting information for transmission to thetelephone, block 515. In one implementation, the telephone is aPSTN-compatible telephone and the terminal uses a PSTN service toprepare a signal carrying the information for the telephone.

In an implementation supporting advanced services, the terminal sendsadditional control information to the telephone through a controlconnection. In another implementation, the terminal is connected to thephone through a USB/RJ-11 converter. In this case, the USB/RJ-11converter converts the information sent from the USB connection of theterminal to a signal according to the protocol of the telephoneconnection and sends the signal to the telephone.

The terminal sends the information to the connected telephone, block520. The telephone processes the received information according to therequested service. For voice, the telephone provides the voice as audiooutput to a user of the telephone. For data, the telephone presents thedata to the user through, the user interface of the telephone (e.g.,through a speaker or display).

In another implementation, a computer system is connected to theterminal instead of or in addition to a telephone. The computer systemreceives data from the modem in a similar way to that described abovereferring to FIG. 5. If the data provided by the modem to the terminalis already in an appropriate format for the requested service, theterminal does not adjust the received data (skipping block 510).

FIG. 6 shows a representation of one implementation of a telephonyterminal 605 connected to a telephone 610 and a base station 615. Theterminal 605 is connected to the telephone 610 through an RJ-11connection. In another implementation, the terminal is connected to thetelephone through a different type of connection. For example, in oneimplementation, the terminal is connected to the telephone through a USBconnection of the terminal, a USB/RJ-11 converter, and an RJ-11connection of the telephone. In another implementation, the telephone isconnected to the terminal through a wireless connection. In anotherimplementation, the terminal is also connected to the telephone throughan additional control line.

The telephone 610 is a typical analog telephone. In anotherimplementation, the telephone is a typical cordless telephone. Inanother implementation, the telephone is a wireless handset with awireless connection to a base unit connected to the terminal. In anotherimplementation, the telephone is integrated within the terminal (e.g.,the base unit of a cordless telephone is integrated within the terminaland communicates with a cordless handset). In an alternativeimplementation, instead of or in addition to the telephone, the terminalis connected to a computer system.

The terminal 605 is connected to the base station 615 through a wirelessconnection. In one implementation, the wireless connection is awide-area wireless connection such as a cellular or PCS connection. Forexample, the wireless connection can be a CDMA, GSM, or TDMA connection,or a wireless LAN (or Wi-Fi) connection, among others. In anotherimplementation, the wireless connection is a local wireless connection.

The base station 615 is a typical wireless base station. The basestation 615 is connected to a wireless network. The wireless networkprovides a data network or is connected to a data network, such as theInternet or a private data network (e.g., a corporate intranet). In oneimplementation, the wireless network is also connected to the PSTN. Inanother implementation, the terminal is connected directly to the PSTN.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of one implementation of a terminal 700including a radio interface and an antenna. The terminal 700 is similarto the terminal 200 shown in FIG. 2, and similar components operate in asimilar way. Accordingly, the terminal 700 includes a controller 705 andconnected memory 710, an RJ-11 connection 715, a user interface 725, anda power source 730. The controller 705 provides a VoIP service 735 and aPSTN service 740. In an alternative implementation, the controller alsoprovides a broadband service and the terminal includes an RJ-45connection similar to the terminal 200.

The terminal 700 supports a wireless connection to a base station (e.g.the base station 615 shown in FIG. 6) through a wireless modem service750 of the controller 705, a radio interface 755 connected to thecontroller 705, and an antenna 760 connected to the radio interface 755.The wireless modem service 750, radio interface 755, and antenna 760,are configured to support the air interface of the wireless connection.The wireless modem service 750 provides support for sending andreceiving signals through a wireless air interface, such as a CDMAinterface. In one implementation, the wireless modem service is ahardware subsystem of the controller or alternatively is a separatesubsystem or component of the terminal connected to the controller. Inone implementation, the radio interface 755 is a typical radio interfacesupporting the air interface of the wireless modem service 750 andincludes: radio frequency (RF) components, a duplexer, a low noiseamplifier (LNA), a bandpass filter (BPF), an isolator, and a poweramplifier. The radio interface 755 operates similarly to typical radiointerfaces in wireless handsets or terminals supporting the airinterface of the wireless modem service 750. For sending signals, thewireless modem service 750 provides modulated signals to the radiointerface 755 and on to the antenna 760. For receiving signals, theantenna 760 provides a signal received from the wireless connection tothe radio interface 755 and on to the wireless modem service 750.

In another implementation, the terminal provides a wireless voiceservice. In this case, the terminal provides voice information from aconnected telephone to the wireless network, such as to be passed to thePSTN. This wireless voice service is similar to a fixed wireless serviceprovided by a wireless local loop terminal.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of one implementation of the terminal 800including a radio interface and antenna and supporting advancedservices. The terminal 800 is similar to the terminal 700 shown in FIG.7 and the terminal 300 shown in FIG. 3, and similar components operatein a similar way. Accordingly, the terminal 800 includes a controller805 and connected memory 810, an RJ-11 connection 815, a user interface825, a power source 830, and a control connection 835. The controller805 provides a VoIP service 840, a browser service 845, an e-mailservice 850, a PSTN service 855, and a wireless modem service 870. Theterminal 800 also includes a radio interface 875 connected to thecontroller 805 and an antenna 880 connected to the radio interface 875.In an alternative implementation, the controller also provides abroadband service and the terminal includes an RJ-45 connection similarto the terminal 300.

The terminal 800 supports a wireless connection in a similar way to theterminal 700, as described above. The terminal 800 supports advancedservices in a similar way to the terminal 300, as described above.

FIG. 9 shows a flow chart 900 of one implementation of sending data froma phone to a data network through a telephony terminal and a wirelessconnection. Initially, a terminal is connected to a telephone (e.g.,through an RJ-11 connection) and to a base station through a wirelessconnection (e.g., through a CDMA connection), such as in theconfiguration shown in FIG. 6. The telephone sends information to theterminal, block 905. The information indicates a service to be providedby the terminal and the information reflects the requested service. Forexample, for a voice service, such as VoIP, the telephone sends voiceinformation to the terminal including header information indicating therequested voice service. For a data service, such as a request to accessa website through a browser, the telephone sends data to the terminalincluding header information indicating the requested data service. Inan implementation supporting advanced services, the telephone sendsadditional control information to the terminal through a controlconnection. In another implementation, the terminal is connected to thephone through a USB/RJ-11 converter. In this case, the USB/RJ-11converter converts the information sent from the RJ-11 connection of thetelephone to data according to the USB protocol and sends the data tothe USB connection of the terminal.

The terminal prepares the information from the telephone according tothe requested service, block 910. The terminal uses an appropriateservice to prepare the information (e.g., using one of the servicesshown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8). For example, for VoIP service, the terminalconverts the voice information to digital data and stores the digitalvoice data in IP packets with appropriate routing data. The terminalprepares the resulting information for transmission to the base station,block 915. The terminal uses the wireless modem service of thecontroller to prepare the information according to the air interface ofthe wireless modem service.

The terminal sends the information to the base station through thewireless connection, block 920. The base station processes the receivedinformation and sends the information to the wireless network and on toa connected data network, such as the Internet.

In another implementation, a computer system is connected to theterminal instead of or in addition to a telephone. The computer systemsends data to the modem in a similar way to that described abovereferring to FIG. 9. If the data provided by the computer system to theterminal is already in an appropriate format for the requested service,the terminal does not adjust the received data (skipping block 910).

FIG. 10 shows a flow chart 1000 of one implementation of sending datafrom a base station to a telephone through a telephony terminal and awireless connection. Initially, the terminal is connected to a telephone(e.g., through an RJ-11 connection) and to a base station through awireless connection, such as in the configuration shown in FIG. 6. Thebase station sends information to the terminal, block 1005. Theinformation indicates a service to be provided by the terminal and theinformation reflects the requested service. For example, for a voiceservice, such as VoIP, the base station sends voice information to theterminal including header information indicating the requested voice(e.g., as IP packets in a wireless signal). For a data service, such asreturning data from a website for a browser, the base station sends datato the terminal including header information indicating the requesteddata service. The terminal receives the signal from the base station andextracts the information from the signal, block 1010. The terminal usesthe wireless modem service of the controller to process and extract theinformation according to the air interface of the wireless modemservice.

The terminal prepares the information from the base station according tothe requested service, block 1015. The terminal uses an appropriateservice to prepare the information (e.g., using one of the servicesshown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8). For example, for VoIP service, the terminalconverts voice data to voice information for the telephone. The terminalprepares the resulting information for transmission to the telephone,block 1020. In one implementation, the telephone is a PSTN-compatibletelephone and the terminal uses a PSTN service to prepare a signalcarrying the information for the telephone.

The terminal sends the information to the connected telephone, block1025. The telephone processes the received information according to therequested service. For voice, the telephone provides the voice as audiooutput to a user of the telephone. For data, the telephone presents thedata to the user through the user interface of the telephone (e.g., aspeaker or display).

In an implementation supporting advanced services, the terminal sendsadditional control information to the telephone through a controlconnection. In another implementation, the terminal is connected to thephone through a USB/RJ-11 converter. In this case, the USB/RJ-11converter converts the information sent from the USB connection of theterminal to a signal according to the protocol of the telephoneconnection and sends the signal to the telephone.

In another implementation, a computer system is connected to theterminal instead of or in addition to a telephone. The computer systemreceives data from the base station with in a similar way to thatdescribed above referring to FIG. 10. If the data provided by the modemto the terminal is already in an appropriate format for the requestedservice, the terminal does not adjust the received data (skipping block1015).

FIG. 11 shows a representation of one implementation of a telephonyterminal 1105 connected to a telephone 1110, a computer system 1115, anda modem 1120. The terminal 1105 is connected to the telephone 1110through a USB connection of the terminal 1105, a USB/RJ-11 converter1112, and an RJ-11 connection of the telephone 1110. In anotherimplementation, the terminal is connected to the telephone through adifferent type of connection. For example, in one implementation, theterminal is connected to the telephone through an RJ-11 connection. Inanother implementation, the terminal is also connected to the telephonethrough an additional control line.

The telephone 1110 is a typical analog telephone. In anotherimplementation, the telephone is a typical cordless telephone. Inanother implementation, the telephone is a wireless handset with awireless connection to a base unit connected to the terminal. In anotherimplementation, the telephone is integrated within the terminal (e.g.,the base unit of a cordless telephone is integrated within the terminaland communicates with a cordless handset).

The terminal 1105 is connected to the computer system 1115 through a USBconnection. In another implementation, the terminal is connected to thecomputer system through a different type of connection, such as an RJ-45connection.

The computer system 1115 is a typical desktop or laptop computer. Inanother implementation, the computer system is a device including aprogrammable processor and related components for providing thefunctionality of a computer system, such as a PDA or a consumerelectronics device. In another implementation, the computer system isintegrated within the terminal.

The terminal 1105 is connected to the modem 1120 through an RJ-45connection. In another implementation, the terminal is connected to themodem through a different type of connection, such as a USB connection.In another implementation, the terminal provides a wireless connectionto any or all of the telephone, the computer system, and the modem, suchas through a wireless LAN (or Wi-Fi) connection.

The modem 1120 is a typical broadband modem, such as a DSL or cablemodem. The modem 1120 is connected to a data network (directly orthrough appropriate intervening networks), such as the Internet or aprivate data network (e.g., a corporate intranet). In anotherimplementation, the modem is an analog modem connected to the PSTN. Inanother implementation, the modem is integrated within the terminal andthe terminal is connected directly to the data network.

The telephone 1110 and computer system 1115 can send and receive signalsand data through the terminal 1105 in a similar way to the processdescribed above in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 12 shows a representation of one implementation of a telephonyterminal 1205 connected to a telephone 1210, a computer system 1215, anda base station 1220. The terminal 1205 is connected to the telephone1210 through a USB connection of the terminal 1205, a USB/RJ-11converter 1212, and an RJ-11 connection of the telephone 1210. Inanother implementation, the terminal is connected to the telephonethrough a different type of connection. For example, in oneimplementation, the terminal is connected to the telephone through anRJ-11 connection. In another implementation, the telephone is connectedto the terminal through a wireless connection. In anotherimplementation, the terminal is also connected to the telephone throughan additional to control line.

The telephone 1210 is a typical analog telephone. In anotherimplementation, the telephone is a typical cordless telephone. Inanother implementation, the telephone is a wireless handset with awireless connection to a base unit connected to the terminal. In anotherimplementation, the telephone is integrated within the terminal (e.g.,the base unit of a cordless telephone is integrated within the terminaland communicates with a cordless handset).

The terminal 1205 is connected to the computer system 1215 through a USBconnection. In another implementation, the terminal is connected to thecomputer system through a different type of connection, such as an RJ-45connection.

The computer system 1215 is a typical desktop or laptop computer. Inanother implementation, the computer system is a device including aprogrammable processor and related components for providing thefunctionality of a computer system, such as a PDA or a consumerelectronics device. In another implementation, the computer system isintegrated within the terminal.

The terminal 1205 is connected to the base station 1220 through awireless connection. In one implementation, the wireless connection is awide-area wireless connection such as a cellular or PCS connection. Forexample, the wireless connection can be a CDMA, GSM, or TDMA connection,or a wireless LAN (or Wi-Fi) connection, among others. In anotherimplementation, the wireless connection is a local wireless connection.

The base station 1220 is a typical wireless base station. The basestation 1220 is connected to a wireless network. The wireless networkprovides a data network or is connected to a data network, such as theInternet or a private data network (e.g., a corporate intranet). In oneimplementation, the wireless network is also connected to the PSTN. Inanother implementation, the terminal is connected directly to the PSTN.

The telephone 1210 and computer system 1215 can send and receive signalsand data through the terminal 1205 and wireless connection in a similarway to the process described above in FIGS. 9 and 10.

The various implementations of the invention are realized in electronichardware, computer software, or combinations of these technologies. Someimplementations include one or more computer programs executed by aprogrammable processor or computer. For example, referring to FIG. 1, inone implementation, the terminal 105 includes one or more programmableprocessors. In general, each computer includes one or more processors,one or more data-storage components (e.g., volatile or non-volatilememory modules and persistent optical and magnetic storage devices, suchas hard and floppy disk drives, CD-ROM drives, and magnetic tapedrives), one or more input devices (e.g., mice and keyboards), and oneor more output devices (e.g., display consoles and printers).

The computer programs include executable code that is usually stored ina persistent storage medium and then copied into memory at run-time. Theprocessor executes the code by retrieving program instructions frommemory in a prescribed order. When executing the program code, thecomputer receives data from the input and/or storage devices, performsoperations on the data, and then delivers the resulting data to theoutput and/or storage devices.

Various illustrative implementations of the present invention have beendescribed. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will see thatadditional implementations are also possible and within the scope of thepresent invention. For example, while the above description focuses onimplementations using telephones, different voice communication devicescan be used, such as two-way radios. In another alternativeimplementation, rather than voice service, the terminal provides datatransfer services such as file downloading.

Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to only thoseimplementations described above.

1. An apparatus, comprising: a phone connection configured to connect to an analog telephone; a network connection configured to connect to a network interface that provides access to a data network; and a controller connected to the phone connection and the network connection, wherein the controller is configured to provide a network voice service that converts information to or from a network voice format and exchanges the information between the analog telephone and the data network.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to provide internet protocol services to a computer system connected to the apparatus.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a voice over internet protocol service configured to process voice information from the analog telephone to generate internet protocol data carrying the voice information.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the network interface comprises a modem.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to provide a public switched telephone network service that processes telephone information from the analog telephone for transmission over a public switched telephone network.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the network connection is a broadband connection.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a peripheral connection connected to the controller and configured to connect to a peripheral device.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the phone connection comprises a wireless interface configured to connect to the analog telephone over a wireless connection.
 9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to provide a browser service that transfers application information for browser applications between the computer system and the network connection.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the browser service is further configured to support a web browser application.
 11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to provide a message service that transfers message data for message applications between the computer system and the network connection.
 12. A method, comprising: coupling an analog telephone to a telephony terminal using a phone connection on the telephony terminal; receiving first information from the analog telephone through the phone connection on the telephony terminal; preparing intermediate information based on the first information according to an indicated service specified in the first information; preparing network data based on the intermediate information according to a network protocol for a network interface, providing access to a data network, connected to the telephony terminal; and sending the network data to the network interface.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising processing second information from the analog telephone for transmission over a public switched telephone network.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising connecting to the network interface using a broadband connection.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the preparing the intermediate information comprises preparing the intermediate information according to a voice over internet protocol service.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the preparing the intermediate information comprises preparing the intermediate information according to an email service.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the preparing the intermediate information comprises preparing the intermediate information according to a browser service.
 18. The method of claim 12, further comprising: coupling a computer system, including a user interface, to the telephony terminal; and obtaining Internet services at the computer system via the telephony terminal.
 19. A telephony terminal, comprising: means for interfacing to a network interface that provides access to a data network; means for receiving telephone information from an analog telephone; means for preparing intermediate information based on the telephone information according to an indicated service specified in the telephone information; means for preparing network data based on the intermediate information according to a network protocol for the network interface; and means for transmitting the network data to the network interface.
 20. A computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution, cause a computing system to perform operations, comprising: connecting to a network interface that provides access to a data network; preparing intermediate information based on telephone information received from an analog telephone according to an indicated service specified in the telephone information; preparing network data based on the intermediate information according to a network protocol for the network interface; and transmitting the network data to the network interface. 